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Welcome | Accreditation | Mission and Vision | Program Goals and Outcomes | Admission Requirements | Tours
Facilities and Schedule | Program Completion Requirements | Program Calendar | Checklist | Internship Details Requirements | Estimated Costs | Scholarships and Financial Aid | Computer Matching
Applicant Responsibilities | Application | Intern Pictures
Welcome
Greetings from Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas.
We are excited about your interest in the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas Dietetic Internship program. You are applying to the 38th class for 2010-2011. Our graduates are leaders in clinical, administrative, community and business and industry positions.
Our internship has a Nutrition Therapy concentration, along with a strong Food Service Systems curriculum. You will receive extensive work and classroom experiences in both areas, giving you a competitive edge in the job market.
We do not charge tuition for our program and provide a stipend and meal allowance for the program duration. Program details may be accessed through this Web site. After studying the material, please contact me with your specific questions either by e-mail or phone. I look forward to assisting you in the application process.
Sincerely,
Kristi Wade, M.S., R.D., C.S.P., L.D.
Manager, Clinical Nutrition & Dietetic Internship
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas
KristiWade@TexasHealth.org
214-345-7558
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Accreditation
The Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas Dietetic Internship Program is currently granted continuing accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312-899-0040, ext 5400.
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Mission and Vision of the Internship and Organization
The Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas Dietetic Internship prepares individuals for entry level practice and success in future roles in the dietetics profession. This responsibility is accomplished through didactic classroom instruction and supervised practice reflective of the Standards of Education of the Commission on Accreditation/Approval for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association.
Mission
The mission of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas is to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve.
To provide the intern the opportunity to learn in a continuous process and develop the skills necessary to become a competent entry level dietitian to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve is the mission of the internship program.
Vision
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, as part of Texas Health Resources, a faith-based organization, joining with physicians, will be the health care system of choice. The program continues that vision and strives for excellence to be the dietetic internship of choice.
Values
Our values include respect, integrity, compassion, and excellence.
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Program Goals and Outcomes
The Texas Health Dallas Dietetic Internship program has two primary goals and associated outcomes. For further information, please contact the internship director.
Goal #1: To prepare program graduates to be competent entry level dietitians.
- Outcome Measure #1: Graduates achieve, over a five-year period, a first-time pass rate of at least 80 percent on the RD exam.
- Outcome Measure #2: Within 12 months of completing the program, at least 70 percent of graduates pass the RD exam, and/or obtain employment related to their major, and/or enroll in an accredited continuing education program.
- Outcome Measure #3: At least 90 percent of interns beginning the internship will complete the program within 69 weeks (16.5 months).
- Outcome Measure #4: The mean employer score given to program graduates on a level of 1 through 5 (where 1 equals poor and 5 equals excellent) is greater than 3.
Goal #2: The program will benefit Texas Health Resources, other healthcare systems and the public by producing qualified dietitians and leaders.
- Outcome Measure #1: Over a five-year period, 80 percent of program graduates seeking employment will be employed within three months of program completion.
- Outcome Measure #2: 100 percent of interns will participate in community service.
- Outcome Measure #3: 90 percent of interns will participate in professional meetings.
- Outcome Measure #4: 50 percent of program graduates who respond to the survey will be involved in community service and/or professional organizations on the graduate survey, mailed one year after program completion.
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Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas Dietetic Internship, applicants must have:
- Completed the ADA Didactic Program Academic Requirements
- Completed a baccalaureate degree with a preferred overall grade point average of 3.0 and a science GPA of at least 2.5 based on a 4.0 system. A 3.3 GPA is required in food/nutrition and food service management courses.
- Graduate hours are not required, however, nine graduate hours with a GPA above a 3.0 may be evaluated along with an overall undergraduate GPA of less than 3.0.
- Work experience in nutrition, customer service or a related field.
Admission to the program is competitive, with an average of 70 to 80 applications for eight possible positions. Facility staff will review the selection criteria below:
- Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Work and Volunteer Experiences
- References
- Personal Letter
- Application Packet (completeness & neatness)
- Telephone Interview
Please refer to the Applicant Responsibilities section for additional details of the application process.
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas is an equal opportunity institution with regard to employment and admission.
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Tours
Prospective students are encouraged to visit Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas prior to applying for the program. An open house will be conducted in the fall of each year. However additional tours are available for those who are unable to attend during the open house. Please make reservations by e-mailing the program director, Kristi Wade, or by calling 214-345-7558.
Upcoming Open House: Dec. 5, 2009
If you need to arrange a tour at another time, please contact the program director with as many as three possible dates of availability. Tours are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis, so early scheduling is encouraged.
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Facilities and Schedule
Unique to the Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas Dietetic Internship are a variety of experiences and affiliations that make it stand out among others as a leader in the education of the dietetic professional. Interns may obtain six hours of graduate credit through Texas Woman's University for completing the program. For more information, please contact the internship director.
The 11-month experience is spent in clinical, food service management and community rotations. Rotations are planned to increase in difficulty as the year progresses. At the successful completion of the dietetic internship program, the intern is eligible to sit for the RD exam through the Commission on Dietetic Registration. The internship is a required component to become a registered dietitian. In Texas, obtaining the RD allows for state licensure application.
Clinical facilities include:
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas
Clinical experiences at Presbyterian Hospital include gastroenterology, endocrinology, pulmonary, cardiology, oncology, rehab, prenatal, neonatal intensive care, nutrition support, diabetes education and clinical management rotations. At the completion of the clinical rotations both in and out of the hospital, interns complete a research-based case study to present to staff and other interns. Interns spend several weeks at the main hospital under the direction of expert dietitians and have the opportunity to work with medical staff physicians with advanced technologies. The hospital also takes special pride in customer service.
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano
The clinical intern will concentrate on simple disease states and basic client assessment for a suburban hospital in a fast-growing suburb of Dallas.
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children is one of the nation's leaders of orthopedic corrections or prevention of bone deformities. Children can also be seen for neurologic conditions, prosthetics, orthotics, developmental disabilities, and dyslexia. The children are offered care to families at no cost. The hospital is based off donations from the community. Interns will work with the clinical nutrition staff to help provide optimal patient care for inpatient and outpatient settings.
Kindred Hospital of Dallas
This long-term acute care hospital provides the intern an opportunity to follow patients in the critical stages of healing between hospital and home. Focus is on nutrition support of longer-term patients.
VA Health System of North Texas
In a four-week period the intern will gain experiences in the renal unit, outpatient clinic, and ward service. The hospital is an 800-bed general medical and surgical hospital with a nursing home unit and a comprehensive outpatient system.
Administrative Dietetics
Administrative experiences at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas and affiliates provide the dietetic intern with many opportunities to have a comprehensive experience of food service systems management and put into practice new techniques and skills learned.
Administrative facilities include:
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas
Many of the administrative rotations are housed in Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. Interns in 2009 will experience facility planning within a major campus expansion including a move into a new, state of the art kitchen.
The main cafeteria and production rotations provide experience in planning, organizing, delegating and supervising employees as well as cooking skills, food merchandising, cost control and customer relations. The patient tray service experience in the main hospital continues to build in human resource and production skills while focusing more on the delivery of accurate trays and providing for patient satisfaction. The purchasing rotation provides experience in menu planning and procurement of food and supplies for several food service areas within the food and nutrition department. While in conference services, interns will assist in the logistics and catering of a wide variety of special functions in the hospital. The in-service rotation provides an opportunity to develop and deliver employee training.
Also included is a technology rotation or a study of computer applications in food service and a one-day rotation with the director of the food service department. The series ends with a three-week staffing assignment and the completion of an extensive and practical administrative project.
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano
Interns will study food service systems and delivery at a suburban hospital in a newly renovated kitchen and dining facility with a room-service style of tray delivery.
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children is one of the nation's leaders of orthopedic corrections or prevention of bone deformities. Children can also be seen for neurologic conditions, prosthetics, orthotics, developmental disabilities, and dyslexia. The intern works with the administrative dietitian on budgeting, cost management, standardization or recipes, room-service style tray delivery, and conference services for various events.
The Greenhouse Spa
Interns in this rotation have the opportunity to work with a chef in food preparation and service in a luxury spa. The Greenhouse is an internationally known deluxe spa catering to women from all over the United States and the world. The Greenhouse conducts a concentrated wellness program using a highly specialized operation, which serves creative gourmet-modified meals to a select group. Interns spend three days learning about food preparation and presentation of elegant foods and healthy cooking techniques.
Suze Restaurant
A casual, elegant bistro in the heart of North Dallas, Suze serves new American dishes to locals who have become regulars. The interns will be able to work with world-renowned chefs and learn how food and wine complement each other with their award-winning wine list.
Community facilities include:
City of Dallas Women, Infants and Children Program
Interns spend time within a large WIC program assessing client needs and presenting nutrition education to qualifying participants.
Visiting Nurse Association - Meals on Wheels
This experience provides hands-on work with home-bound sick and elderly to prepare and deliver meals. Time is available to learn the food-service system, the community and governmental influences on the program, and the nutrition needs of the ill and elderly.
Dealey Child Care Center at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas
This center provides care for children of the hospital staff, ages 6 weeks to 5 years, and also has a unit for mildly ill school-aged children. This experience includes knowledge of nutritional needs and methods of feeding children in these developmental years and conducting nutrition classes for 3-, 4-, and 5-year olds.
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children Staff Wellness
Interns participate in the nutrition focus of an organizational wellness program. During this two-week rotation you will help teach classes, conduct-menu analysis and make recommendations for cafeteria selections. Interns will have the opportunity to interact with other wellness team members, including kinesiologists, PAs and RNs.
North Texas Food Bank
The North Texas Food Bank was established in 1982 to address the critical issue of hunger by securing donations and food supplies for distribution through a network of charitable organizations dedicated to feeding residents in 13 area counties. The donations support 917 feeding and education programs including food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters, after-school programs, senior citizen centers and other social service centers. The intern is involved in providing nutrition education at a variety of locations and programs.
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Program Completion Requirements
The intern is eligible to complete the program when all rotations and assignments in the curriculum have met the competency requirements in a satisfactory manner. Completion is determined by the internship director. At the time of program completion the internship director provides the internship verification statement and submits data to the Commission on Dietetic Registration, which provides eligibility for the RD exam.
If an intern is weak or not deemed competent in a particular area, additional learning experiences are planned to facilitate achieving the competency. This may include repeating a rotation or experience. The intern must complete all program requirements within 150 percent (16.5 months) of the time planned for completion.
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Program Calendar
This general calendar will provide an idea of the year cycle during the program.
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Event
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Dates
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Beginning of Program
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Second Monday of August |
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Site Rotations Begin
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First Tuesday after Labor Day
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Thanksgiving Holiday
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Thursday through Sunday
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Winter Holiday
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Christmas through New Year's Day
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Internship resumes
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8 a.m. on first Monday in January, unless it is New Year's Day
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Reception/dinner for interns and preceptors
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Mid-June
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End of Program (total 11 months)
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June 30th or last Friday in June (if no sick days or extra vacation days are taken; otherwise departure may be delayed due to incomplete work or hours)
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Scheduling of on-duty hours varies with assignments and generally, but not exclusively, includes weekdays within the hours of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Checklist for Applicants
All information listed on the checklist below should be mailed in one packet, postmarked by the stated match deadline date of February 17, 2009, to:
Kristi Wade, M.S., R.D., C.S.P., L.D.
Manager, Dietetic Internship Program
Food Nutrition and Conference Services
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas
8200 Walnut Hill Lane
Dallas, TX 75231-4496
E-mail: KristiWade@TexasHealth.org
Incomplete packets will be automatically dropped from consideration. Carefully review the list below and make sure all information is included in your application envelope.
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A signed, completed new (2005 version) application form using the ADA standard form, available here.
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| 2.___ |
An additional application form from Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, downloaded from this site.
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Official and original transcript(s) of all colleges attended (copies not accepted). If you would like your original transcripts returned, please include a large, self-addressed, postage-paid envelope in the packet. These will only be returned if you are not accepted into the program.
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| 4.___ |
Verification Statement of DPD Program completion or Declaration of Intent to complete the DPD program, signed by the program director of your undergraduate program where you are finishing these requirements.
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At least three (3) evaluation forms, from persons who can give pertinent information as to ability, potential, professionalism, character and personality of the applicant. The references must include:
- One from a professor in food and nutrition
- One from a professor in food service systems management
- The third may be from your program director, an employer, or someone else you have known for at least one year who has observed your work habits and responses to challenging situations
- All qualities rated outstanding on the chart must have written explanation on the following page for additional information
- Each evaluation should be in a sealed envelope with the evaluator's signature written on the sealed flap
- Enclose the evaluations within the packet.
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| 6.___ |
Original letter of application in the student's own handwriting using a professional format, on plain white, unlined paper. Include a brief statement of your professional goals and reason(s) for your career choice, relevant personal experiences, and how you hope to contribute to and benefit from the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas Dietetic Internship program.
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| 7.___ |
Application Fee of $50.00 with check payable to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas
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| 8.___ |
GRE Scores (optional)
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Printable Checklist
Please refer to the Applicant Responsibilities section for additional details of the application process.
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Internship Details
Stipend: $300 a month
Meal Allowance: $6 per workday
Holidays: Labor Day, Thursday and Friday at Thanksgiving, Winter holiday break (including Christmas through New Year's Day), Memorial Day
Work Schedule: Typically a 40-hour work week and 1.5 hours of classroom time. Additional time includes homework assignments and occasional weekend rotation hours.
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Personal Requirements
Health
A high energy level is essential to keep up with the program rigor of class work and facility training. Interns provide an example of health to others and serve as role models for the dietetic profession. Medical insurance is necessary. The hospital Employee Health Service provides limited services, but all medical care is the responsibility of the intern. Physicians and facilities are available for referral.
Missed objectives may require additional make-up hours. Extended illness may require extension of rotation weeks beyond the announced program completion date.
Professional Dress
Interns generally must wear business style clothing at our facilities due to a highly enforced dress code. A white long-sleeved lab coat is needed in some of the facilities and white scrubs are required for many of the administrative rotations. Substantial closed-toe shoes are required at all times for health and safety reasons. Flat shoes are highly suggested for all rotations. It is expected that the intern will maintain a professional standard of dress and conform to the established dress code at all times during the rotations. Dress codes are clarified for each rotation.
Transportation
Many facilities are accessible by mass transit (Dallas Area Rapid Transit or DART), and interns are encouraged to utilize these systems to avoid traffic congestion and parking limitations. Locating near a bus or light-rail line is beneficial for riding to the hospital.
Parking is available at the hospital.
Transportation to the external facilities is the responsibility of the intern. Access to dependable transportation is necessary to complete the rotations.
Working During the Internship
An additional job may be held during the internship provided that it does not conflict in time or effort needed to be given to the internship. Work schedules must not begin before 6 p.m. during the week and if weekend work is assigned, work schedules need to be flexible. It is important also to remember that the internship requires homework assignments and concentration and effort outside of rotation hours. The external work situation should not infringe on the intern's ability to excel in class work, to be prompt, rested, and prepared for work experiences, and to handle the rigor of the internship.
Housing
Many options are available for housing near the hospital. It is recommended that living closer to the hospital or the DART line will make navigating traffic potentially less uncomfortable.
Information about apartments in Dallas can be found through a search on "Dallas apartments" and "75231" (hospital zip code) and will yield many Web sites to match your search criteria. Upon matching to the program, interns wishing to room with another intern can be put in contact with each other.
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Estimated Program Costs
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas provides interns a stipend and a meal allowance to assist in defraying costs. There is no tuition charged for this program. The following is an estimate of expenses for an intern.
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Apartment, 1-2 bedroom
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1 bedroom - $700.00 per month
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Costs vary, see housing section
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Utilities
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Approximately $100 in addition to rent if not included in lease
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Books
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$250
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For required texts if not already purchased
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Health Insurance
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$500 |
Required for program entry |
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Professional Fees
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$200
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ADA Membership, application for registration when internship is complete, registration for local continuing education event
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White scrubs, lab coat, non-skid shoes
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$150
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In addition to noncasual dress clothes for rotations not requiring white scrubs
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Other personal expenses including car maintenance, car insurance and gas, food
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Costs vary
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Scholarships and Financial Aid
The American Dietetic Association Foundation and state dietetic association foundations, such as, Texas Dietetic Association Foundation provide scholarship funds for dietetic interns. The scholarship applicant must meet ADAF and state foundation deadlines the prior year. Please refer to their Web sites for eligibility requirements and application deadlines.
Interns at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas are not eligible for federally funded student loans. The internship director is available to write letters requesting student loan deferment during the internship. Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas does not charge tuition for the program and provides a $300/month stipend along with a $6/day meal allowance.
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Computer Matching
A total of eight possible internship positions are matched in April.
All applicants to the Dietetic Internship must participate in computer matching. Applicants should request instructions and mark/sense card to prioritize their DI and AP4 preferences. Applicants should request this material from any ADA-approved Didactic Program in Dietetics or from D&D Digital Systems. This request should be made to allow adequate time to submit by the postmark deadlines. There is no charge for this material. However, there is a $50 non-refundable fee for computer matching that is due with the applicant's prioritized ranking. Address material requests to:
D&D Digital Systems
304 Main Street, Suite 301
Ames, IA 50010-6148
515-292-0490
www.dnddigital.com
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Applicant Responsibilities
Accepted Applicants
Matched applicants will contact the program director within 24 hours of notification. Contact information:
Kristi Wade, M.S., R.D., C.S.P., L.D.
Office phone: 214-345-7558
Fax: 214-345-7560
E-mail: KristiWade@texashealth.org
Please leave a detailed message and a return contact number so your message can be confirmed.
All accepted applicants must successfully pass a background check and drug screen prior to program entry.
Application Phase
Applicants are responsible for obtaining current application materials from selected Dietetic Internships (DI) and Pre-professional Practice Programs (AP4). The basic steps in this process are:
- Obtain current application materials from selected DIs at least six months prior to computer match in April and November annually.
- Discuss application materials with your Didactic Program Director, if available.
- If required, apply to take Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
- Obtain the Declaration of Intent to complete form or Verification Statement from your Didactic Program Director. One of these standardized forms is provided by the Didactic Program Director and is required as part of the DI application materials.
- Request references from advisor/faculty/employers and order official transcripts as needed for each DI application.
- Complete each application according to instructions provided with the application and submit the materials to the DI director by the designated deadline date. Questions about completing applications should be referred to the DI Director or your DPD Director, not ADA Staff.
- Provide telephone number(s) with applications where you can be reached on Appointment Day.
- Send all materials by the postmark deadline and by receipted mail for proof of mailing date and delivery. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped postcard if you want to be notified of receipt of the DI application from the program.
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Register with D&D Digital Systems at www.dnddigital.com and pay the $50 registration fee by credit card or go online to print, complete and mail the pdf application form by the postmark deadline, along with the $50 registration fee. If sending the application via postal service, certified mail (return receipt requested) is recommended. Applicants should call D&D Digital if the certified mail receipt is not returned within three weeks. D&D Digital will e-mail a username and password after payment is completed, that will allow online access to enter, verify and change if necessary, your contact information and dietetic internship choices. Any changes must be made online prior to the application due date.
Important Note: Applicants should select DI priorities carefully; no changes will be accepted by D&D Digital Systems after the deadline.
Computer Matching Phase
Appointment Phase
- Applicants who receive a computer match are responsible for accepting or rejecting the match by telephone or fax on the appointment date by 5 p.m. of the program's time zone (Texas Health Dallas is in the Central Time Zone) on Appointment Day.
- Applicants who submitted a Declaration of Intent to Complete form with their applications must obtain a signed DPD Verification Statement from their DPD Program Director and official transcript documenting completion of the bachelor's degree prior to beginning the dietetic internship.
| PLEASE NOTE: IMPORTANT APPLICANT RESPONSIBILITIES
As a participant in the computer matching process, it is expected that applicants who receive a match will adhere to the results of the match and accept that match. It is unacceptable to decline a match in order to pursue appointment to another supervised practice program.
Programs with open positions will be posted on the D&D Digital Systems Web site only on the day following Appointment Day. As a participant in the computer matching process, it is expected that applicants who do not receive a computer match must not contact any program with open positions until that day. This will allow the dietetic internship programs time to confirm acceptance from their matched applicants and determine the process they will use to fill open positions.
In addition, please do not ask your Program Director to inquire about programs with open positions until the day programs with open positions are posted.
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Application
Follow the link below to download a Dietetic Internship Application to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas.
Dietetic Internship Application [PDF]
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Intern Pictures
Meet the 2008-2009 Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas Dietetic Intern Class
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